“Anytime. See ya!”
Heading outside, I jump onto the subway and take a seat on one of the hard plastic chairs lining both sides of the train. Resting my head back against the cool window, I close my eyes and let the hum of the transit car lull me into relaxation. Most say they hate the subway. I love it, though I don’t use it half as much as I want to. Gotta get those steps in. It’s where I think. Where I clear my thoughts. Where I let someone else take the reins to get me from point A to point B while I turn off my mind for ten minutes.
Ten. Sweet. Minutes.
However, after a few of those blissful minutes of serenity, my skin starts to prickle with awareness. Peeking one eye open, I scan the half-full car before landing on the culprit. With a haughty glare, I cross my arms and shift in my seat to give him my back.
The train pulls to a stop. People around me ebb and flow with the foot traffic. Some reaching their destination. Others jumping on board to get to theirs. And a few who search for an empty seat to take the weight off thei
r aching feet.
When the chair squeaks beside me, a quiet groan escapes me.
So help me, if it’s—
“Hey,” Conner greets.
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I drop my head back in defeat.
“Long day?” he presses.
“It’s turning into one,” I mutter under my breath before swiveling in my seat to face him.
Mouth quirking in amusement, he loosens the tie around his neck, bringing my attention to the long column of his throat and his five o’clock shadow.
“Do you usually ride the subway?” he asks. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you before.”
“Do you usually talk to strangers on the subway?” I counter. “I’m surprised they still let you on here.”
His deep chuckle reverberates through me as he defends himself. “Hey, I’m an upstanding citizen, and we’re not strangers, remember? You and I go way back.”
“Yup. And we both know how unhealthy it is to live in the past.”
“Which is why you should give me another chance.”
“I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“Come on, Charlie. I was an ass in elementary school. I had shitty friends, and my parents were going through a divorce. It screws up little kids, ya know? All I’m asking for is one date. That’s it.”
There’s something about the sincerity in his voice that almost makes me crumble. Then I remember all the mornings I’d stare at myself in the mirror, running my little hands through my cropped haircut with tears in my eyes, begging my dad to let me stay home so that I wouldn’t have to face Asshat Conner Daniels.
Seems fate makes the decision for me when I hear the conductor announce our next stop.
“Gotta go, Conner. Sorry about your parents’ divorce.”
Then I stand up and leave.
Chapter Eight
Levi
Mouth full of foam, I brush my teeth while trying to figure out if the data I’d collected for a report managed to reflect the changes in the market over the past year. A dull headache threatens to surface, but I push it aside. I don’t have time for that shit.
I’m rinsing my mouth when my phone vibrates.
Charlie: Hey.
Me: Hey.